NOVPUBInstead of answering, Hong Suchun asked a question of his own.
"When you hold a sword, don’t you feel the urge to swing it?"
"Of course," Kwak Yeon replied.
"Where that first swing lands often decides the rest of your life. The law is far away, but the fist is close. If you use a sword as a weapon, it’s easy to make quick money. Once you get a taste of that, it’s hard to break away. The temptation is strong. But when you lack skill and start getting pushed around, your options narrow."
"So that’s why they ended up as bandits," Kwak Yeon said, nodding in understanding.
Hong Suchun’s analogy about people who “buttoned the wrong button first” suddenly made perfect sense.
"There’s no reason to chase down pathetic fools like them just to stain my hands with blood," Hong Suchun said. "The heavens will deal with them in due time."
Kwak Yeon recalled the saying about the heavenly net — it may seem loose, but nothing ever escapes its grasp.
‘That too could be considered the will of the heavens.’
Hong Suchun spoke again, his expression heavy.
"Honestly, I’m not so different from those fools."
Kwak Yeon’s eyes widened slightly.
"I survive by using them as an excuse to pretend to be a guard and squeeze money out of merchant peddlers."
Hong Suchun pulled a promissory note from his robe and handed it to Kwak Yeon.
"Take it."
"...?"
"It’s the money I got from selling the ginseng you gave me. Frankly, one silver tael is enough for my trouble. And the Poison-Repelling Bead is a fake. It’s actually a black pearl from Lake Taeho. I’m sorry for deceiving you."
Kwak Yeon pushed the note back.
"The fee I set was what I deemed appropriate. You didn’t deceive me. And Taeho Lake black pearls can be ground and used as an antidote for food poisoning, so technically, it is a Poison-Repelling Bead. And more importantly, I can’t agree with you when you say you’re no different from those bandits, Hong Daehyup."
"...?"
"I may lack worldly experience, but through this journey, I’ve learned a bit about how the world works. Earlier, when the apothecary tried to cheat me out of my profits, that was wrong. But if I’d used force to make him pay me what he owed, that would also have been wrong. If I don’t want to be cheated, I just won’t do business with people like him.
"Even this innkeeper is running a business to make a profit. Thanks to him, I’m able to sit here and enjoy a warm meal," Kwak Yeon said, his voice calm and steady.
"...!"
"My master once said, ‘In every human heart, there is a selfish desire, a ‘for me’ (爲我). That is the root from which demons grow, but it is also the foundation upon which the world is built.’"
Kwak Yeon remembered the words spoken to him by the Daoist Master of the True Wudang Sect:
Before you punish evil, examine yourself. And if you decide to act, do so with the ruthless heart of a true gentleman.
Hong Suchun gazed at Kwak Yeon, eyes filled with a complicated mix of emotions.
"...Daoist Kwak."
"This journey has already taught me so much, Hong Daehyup. What I’ve given you now isn’t nearly enough to repay what I’ve gained."
Kwak Yeon’s words were sincere. Even if he handed over every tael of silver he owned, it wouldn’t come close to repaying the enlightenment he had received. Such realizations were priceless — things money could never buy.
"And there’s one more thing I wanted to say to you, Hong Daehyup."
"...?"
"Thank you for showing me that good fathers do exist in this world."
Kwak Yeon left Sangseon-hyeon feeling lighter than ever.
Hong Suchun planned to stay in Sangseon-hyeon for a few more days, organizing a merchant caravan to travel with.
Kwak Yeon never told him to stay a good father for a long time. He didn’t need to. He already knew Hong Suchun would do so.
That was why he had taught him the proper Three Calamities Sword Technique.
Because only with strength could one protect their family.
Kwak Yeon was curious to see how Hong Suchun would change.
Would he open a small martial hall after this trip, as he had hoped? If so, he could stay by his family’s side and look after them.
The thought of Hong Suchun’s family, sitting together and eating a meal, made Kwak Yeon feel a twinge of envy.
It was something he would never have — not as long as he remained in the dreamlike illusion of his current life.
He suddenly recalled the words Hong Suchun had said as they parted.
"I hope you achieve enlightenment."
Though it was a common farewell to say to a reclusive Daoist, it felt like genuine encouragement.
The joy of someone else’s happiness became his own, and it made his steps feel lighter.
Seeing that the official road was deserted, Kwak Yeon began to practice the Floating Cloud Steps.
Having spent so much time in closed-door meditation, his movement techniques had become rusty. He took this opportunity to use the journey as additional training.
The scenery whizzed by as Kwak Yeon sped forward.
His mastery of the Floating Cloud Steps had reached a new level.
He was reminded once again that the Art of the Everchanging Origin was deeply intertwined with the cultivation of the mind.
After several days, the southern border of Hubei Province came into view.
Throughout the journey, Kwak Yeon had remained on the main road.
The memories of getting lost in the mountains were still vivid in his mind.
Even the greatest martial artist must bow before nature.
In the mountains, every path looked the same, and it ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) was easy to get turned around and end up back where you started. The faster he tried to move, the more disoriented he became.
No matter how formidable his internal energy was, camping out in the mountains every night had been grueling. He couldn’t keep his inner energy flowing at all times, and the strain on his mind was immense.
And the biggest issue was food.
He was well aware of the importance of maintaining his health. Surviving on dry rations alone would gradually deplete his strength and even damage his vital energy reserves.
He wasn’t yet experienced enough in surviving off the land to endure that kind of hardship again.
Traveling along the main road also allowed him to observe various villages and towns. It was a small but pleasant distraction to see the different ways people lived.
Having spent nearly his entire life in Wudang, his mannerisms and speech were a bit stiff and formal. He needed to work on softening his demeanor.
Once he left Hubei, he would have to change out of his Daoist robe.
If he kept wearing it in Hunan Province, he would only draw unwanted attention.
That thought brought a bitter taste to his mouth.
It felt as though he was gradually drifting further and further away from Wudang.
‘I wonder how everyone’s doing back there.’
While Kwak Yeon was sitting in the dining hall of the inn, waiting for the food he had ordered, he found himself drifting off in thoughts of Mount Wudang.
At that moment, an old man entered, holding the hand of a young girl who appeared to be his granddaughter.
The old man carried a guqin on his back and was bowing repeatedly to the innkeeper, who wore a sullen expression.
"If that's the situation, then fine. You can play a couple of songs and then leave. But if you cause any trouble for the guests, I'll throw you out immediately," the innkeeper said with a disinterested nod.
"Of course, sir. We won’t cause any trouble. You have my word," the old man said humbly.
The old man, seemingly blind, allowed the young girl to lead him to the center of the dining hall. Once there, he bowed deeply.
"I am but a wandering musician with some skill in playing the guqin, and this is my granddaughter, who is quite talented at singing. We would like to entertain the guests for a brief moment. If anyone finds our performance enjoyable, we will gratefully accept any kindness you wish to show us."
Kwak Yeon had never encountered a traveling musician before, so he watched with curiosity.
―Twang!
The old man's fingers moved across the strings of the guqin, producing a rich, resonant sound. Even to Kwak Yeon, who knew nothing about music, the old man's skill was mesmerizing.
Then the young girl began to sing, her voice clear and pure, perfectly matching the melody of the guqin.
"The grass upon the hills grows lush year after year,
Even wildfire cannot burn it all,
For when the spring breeze blows, it returns anew."
The song was a rendition of "Song of the High Plains Grass," a famous poem by Bai Juyi.
The hauntingly beautiful combination of the guqin and the girl's voice silenced the entire dining hall.
Kwak Yeon became completely absorbed in the unexpected treat.
‘Ah! They say the world is full of talented people, and it must be true. Who would have thought I’d hear such exquisite music and singing in a place like this?’
For the first time, he felt genuinely happy to have left Wudang Mountain.
Occasionally, he had heard the sound of a guqin back in Wudang, particularly while passing by the True Martial Hall. But at the time, his mind had been elsewhere, and he hadn’t appreciated the beauty of it.
‘Back then, I was too preoccupied to notice. I didn’t realize how moving and delightful such melodies could be.’
As he listened to the girl’s singing, Kwak Yeon felt his heart rise and fall with the music, alternating between joy and sorrow.
He could have listened to them all day. But after two songs, the old man ceased playing, and the girl lowered her head.
Kwak Yeon snapped out of his reverie and began clapping enthusiastically.
The dining hall was soon filled with the sound of applause, coming from all directions.
The old man stood and bowed deeply.
"Thank you very much. But, unfortunately, applause and cheers cannot fill our empty bellies. If you would be so kind as to express your appreciation through a small token, my granddaughter and I would be immensely grateful. And in return, we shall offer even better music and singing," the old man said.
At his signal, the young girl picked up a small bowl and began moving around the dining hall, her head bowed.
―Clink! Clink!
A few people tossed in some copper coins, and Kwak Yeon, too, reached into his robe, pulling out a silver tael. He held it in his hand, waiting for his turn.
However, before the girl could reach him, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"Well, well. Up close, I can see you're quite the beauty," a man said, his voice dripping with sleaze.
The girl’s face went pale.
"P-Please forgive me, sir," she stammered.
"Forgive you? What have you done wrong? Are you asking for my forgiveness for no reason?"
"I... I am just a child. I don’t know what I did to offend you. If you tell me, I will apologize," the girl said, trembling like a trapped bird.
Kwak Yeon’s brow furrowed.
It was the same group of men who had been occupying the center of the dining hall, acting as if they owned the place. From the way the others addressed the main man as “Young Chief,” it was clear he was the son of some local faction’s leader, and the rest were his bodyguards.
Kwak Yeon had been ignoring them until now since they hadn’t caused him any direct trouble. He’d seen plenty of arrogant young masters like that in the Jianghu.
But now, the so-called “Young Chief” was grabbing the girl’s wrist and harassing her. And judging by the way the other patrons averted their eyes, it was clear that this faction wielded considerable influence in the area.
The Young Chief’s voice rose, full of smug self-satisfaction.
"Little girl, you’ve done nothing wrong. You’re just so young and pretty that I want to keep you by my side for a while. Come pour me a drink."
"...Sir, I am not a courtesan," the girl said, her voice quivering.
"A courtesan? This little wench! Listen to her! Are you saying I, Sa Duyeong of the Black Snake Gang, am some kind of lecherous scoundrel who takes advantage of little girls?"
"Please, sir! Forgive me!"
"Fine. I’ll forgive you. But in return, come over here and pour me a drink," Sa Duyeong said, his grip tightening on the girl’s wrist.
"I... I..."
The girl was too terrified to say anything more, her eyes darting around the room as she continued to stammer, "I... I..."
